The ANMF Commence Public Sector Enterprise Bargaining

2 March 2026

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Tasmanian Branch) will today commence its Public Sector Campaign calling on the Tasmanian Government to “Staff Us. Value Us. Protect Us”.

ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary, Emily Shepherd said the ANMF will commence negotiations for a replacement agreement covering all public sector nurses, midwives, Registered Undergraduates of Nursing and Registered Undergraduates of Midwifery as well as Assistants in Nursing.

“The existing agreement, which has a nominal expiry date of June 30, 2026, should have commenced negotiations November 2025,” Ms Shepherd said.

“However, due to the Government’s ongoing negotiations with respect to the Public Sector Unions Wages Agreement, negotiations are yet to commence.”

Ms Shepherd said the ANMF wrote to the Premier on Friday, February 27, seeking to commence negotiations for our members in the public sector for a replacement public sector agreement.

“While we appreciate the Government is attempting to resolve other negotiations, our members must also be afforded the opportunity to raise the matters that urgently need to be addressed to support them in carrying out nursing and midwifery duties in a safe and sustainable way.”

Ms Shepherd said the ANMF will consult with members over coming weeks to have their Log of Claims to inform ANMF Advocacy finalised.

“However, surveys and member consultation of the last few months highlight that members are still struggling with safe staffing, retention and recruitment challenges, skills mix concerns, safety in the workplace and the need for support for an exhausted and burnt-out workforce.”

Ms Shepherd said the ANMF will enter the bargaining process in good faith and hope that there is an willingness to hear and act on members most widely and deeply felt concerns in order to support nurses, midwives and their teams in delivering safe and quality care across the entire public sector, no matter where nurses and midwives work.

“There is not doubt that nurse, midwives, RUSON and RUSOM’s are finding working in the Tasmanian Public Sector a challenging time when demand and acuity are at an all time high.

“We believe that this is a significant opportunity for the Tasmanian Government to address the staffing concerns of members ensure that they are safe at work and provide conditions and entitlements that indicate that the Tasmanian Government value the work that our members do each and everyday in our Tasmanian Health System.”